Holiday Gift Wrap 2018

COME AND JOIN THE FUN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

We know everyone is getting busy making plans for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, but we’ve been getting busy getting ready for our holiday fundraiser season – gift wrapping at several Valley and Tucson locations!

We kick off on Friday, November 23rd in Scottsdale and Saturday, November 24th at Dana Park, Happy Valley, Arrowhead, and Tucson.

If you have never participated in our gift wrapping events, now is the time! This is the perfect opportunity to meet more of our wonderful volunteers while having a great time. Scroll down to check out our gift wrapping schedule at all the sites.

We need volunteers at all the locations to help wrap gifts, greet shoppers, thank donors or simply talk about your Golden and our wonderful organization. The donations we receive make it possible for us to provide life-saving care to Goldens, who don’t even know they will need us.

Email or call the Site Coordinator with your name, email address, and the dates and hours you can volunteer. You can come for an hour or two or longer, with or without a Golden.

That’s it! Come and join the fun during the most wonderful time of the year!

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

520-591-6544

Volunteer Opportunity...RAG of AZ needs you

Coordinators needed for Arrowhead Barnes & Noble

The most wonderful time of the year is almost here and RAG of AZ is looking for a couple of volunteers to coordinate our gift wrapping event at the Barnes and Noble Arrowhead at 7685 W Bell Rd, Peoria, AZ 85382.

The volunteers would be responsible for managing the gift wrap shift of 3 1/2 hours on the days RAG of AZ is scheduled. All dates are Saturday or Sunday afternoon from 12:30-4:00 PM. The person/persons would deliver the wrapping supplies, manage the volunteers and talk rescue to all the happy shoppers who are getting their packages wrapped!!! (You don't have to be a talented gift wrapper either.)

It's a fun time for volunteers and Goldens alike. Sharing the story of rescue and helping to reduce the stress of the shoppers with some Golden therapy while their purchases are being wrapped.

If you have a few hours once a week and would like to help RAG of AZ with one of our major fundraisers please contact Becky Buck-Wetzel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will provide training and support as well as all the gift wrapping supplies.

On behalf of the Goldens who don't yet know they will need us, thank you.

Holiday Gift Wrap 2016

COME AND JOIN THE FUN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

We know everyone is busy making plans for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, but we've been busy getting ready for our holiday fundraiser season - gift wrapping at several valley and Tucson locations!

We kick off on Friday November 25th in Scottsdale and Saturday November 26th at Happy Valley, Arrowhead, Mesa and Tucson.

If you have never participated in our gift wrapping events, now is the time! This is the perfect opportunity to meet more of our wonderful volunteers while having a great time. Scroll down to check out our gift wrapping schedule at all the sites.

We need volunteers at all the locations to help wrap gifts, greet shoppers, thank donors or simply talk about your Golden and our wonderful organization. The donations we receive make it possible for us to provide life-saving care to Goldens, who don't even know they will need us.

Email or call the Site Coordinator with your name, email address, and the dates and hours you can volunteer. You can come for an hour or two or longer, with or without a Golden.

That's it! Come and join the fun during the most wonderful time of the year!

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

520-360-4414(C)

Pete & Mac's Yappy Hour

Bark in the Park Tucson Style 2015

BARK IN THE PARK TUCSON STYLE 2015

By Scottie McGowan, Director of Southern K9 Operations

Celebrating Rescue A Golden of Arizona’s 17th year of rescuing dogs, we had a tail wagging, sloppy kisses, yummy food good time!

The western background for Portraits by Debbie Troudt was well received. There were some fun pictures taken of “Western Goldens.” Can’t wait to see those pictures.

Laurel Manning, Barb Davis, and Carrie Kinnear set up the agility course and did some demonstrations. A few dogs were able to try it out.

Our featured veterinarian this year was Dr. Claire Marie Zepeda and staff of Valencia Animal Hospital. Chris Brant presented our framed certificate of appreciation which is now sitting on the counter at the hospital. Dr. Zepeda shared the different types of pet insurance and showed how to care for your dog’s teeth.

Back by popular demand was Elisa Bohlman to paint paw prints and other images on both humans and animals. No doubt she will be back again next year. With so many wearing paw prints, it looked like there was a stampede of Goldens.

After the ceremonial cake cutting, we surprised five year old Drew Bender with his own cake, a “5” candle, a small gift, and lots of people singing Happy Birthday. Drew lost his two year old beloved Golden companion, Mason, to cancer a few months ago. He is waiting for another companion to come along. In the meantime, our Morgan gives him lots of cuddling. Drew shared a moment with his mom during the Rainbow Bridge Ceremony.

And oh those raffle baskets! Kat Kromminga once again wove her magic with 17 desirable baskets. This year we also had a patio heater that garnered lots of tickets in the cup.

The peanut butter licking contest was a big tail wag enjoyed by 30 dogs. Rufus Rodriguez won first place; Sedona Steffes was a close second. Both dogs went home with a $10 PetSmart gift card. Both were also former winners.

Jen of Dragonfly by Jen Artistry displayed some beautiful tiles with pictures of our dogs. Several people ordered some with their own dog’s pictures.

Mark and Charly Brazil of C&S catering once again blessed us with fabulous hot dogs, hamburgers, and homemade potato salad and baked beans. Grill master, Hank Lambert flipped those burgers with gusto.

Top 10 Homepathic Remedies

Red 14-046 update

Thank you RAGofAZ - Red is now home for the holidays! Red met his new dad this morning and after a successful meet and greet...Red is on his way home to his new "forever" home.

One RAGofAZ family now has some extra "Red" for the holidays!

Please read this plea from Red, a special 9-year old golden who has been in foster care for 3 months. If you would like to meet Red and potentially be his forever home, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thanks for reading!!

Hi! I am Red and I am looking for a forever home. I was returned to rescue in September and have been in foster care for about 3 months. I know many see that I am 9 years old, or that I need a no pet home and decide I am not the "one" for them but I know the perfect forever family is out there waiting just for me. Maybe it is your family? Just keep reading and I hope you'll think I am the right dog for you!

My personality is ALL golden. I am very smart and obedient. I am house trained, dog door trained, walk great on a leash and sleep thru the night. I do need to be in a no pet home... but as you know many families have only one "4 legged" companion...I think they call it an only child :) ... I do good meeting dogs when I am out walking with my foster dad....but in the home, I focus on getting attention and pets from everyone who comes to visit.

My foster dad and mom say that I have been a delight to have around. All you have to do is pet me and take me for daily walks and car rides and I'll be very happy. I am very easy-going and don't need tons of exercise or training like a younger dog does. I have so much love to give and you will be so very glad to have me in your home, I promise. I should also tell you that my foster mom and dad have been great....but I really want a "forever" home to call my own.

You may be concerned about my age, but as you can see, I am in terrific shape for being 9 years young! My weight is perfect and I have no mobility issues at all. I am a healthy boy.

Believe me, the years of love, companionship and loyalty I will give you are definitely worth it.

I hope to hear from you soon! Love, Red

{article Red 14-046}{text} {readmore}{/article}

Puppies with Parvo-going home

Update on our puppies—known lovingly as the Parvo Five

The puppies were very sick---some sicker than others—and spent many days in isolation intensive care at Animal Medical Surgical Center in Scottsdale. While they were there, they received plasma transfusions; antibiotics; stomach and intestinal support medications and round the clock care. Fortunately, the best efforts by Dr. Rory Lubold and the veterinary technicians were rewarded with great success and all the puppies have gone home to loving families.

Gus and Tug were the first to go home on Wednesday.

Gus will be living in Scottsdale with his mom, dad and Golden sister and brother. Tug is living now with his mom and canine sister in Chandler.

The girls left the hospital on Friday. Molly, now known as Knixzy, has 3 human siblings as well as a canine brother for companions in Chandler as well.

Carly, now known as Ruby, lives with her mom, dad, Golden sister and 2 feline siblings in Chino Valley.

Charlie was the sickest of the bunch and required three plasma transfusions to get him back to behaving like a puppy! Fortunately, he was able to leave today, Saturday, with his mom and dad in Tempe.

The puppies will suffer no long term effects from having had the parvovirus, but will need special care and medications as they continue to stabilize. Then they will receive all the typical puppy vaccinations and all will be spayed/neutered and microchipped. We do so appreciate all your support and kind words. Even with the discount we received from the treating vet, the bill per dog is over $5000.00. Please help us be there for other Goldens in need!

Puppies with Parvo

Urgent Rescue—five puppies with Parvo

Our intake team received a call from a backyard breeder whose two litters of puppies had been infected with the Parvovirus. Parvo is a deadly disease that is easily prevented with proper care of puppies and a set of three vaccinations for the pup, but these dogs were not so lucky. Our rescue transporters visited the home and were allowed to take one dog from the 10 week old litter (Gus) and one from the 7 week old litter (Tug). Though other pups were in distress, the breeder wanted to wait. The puppies were delivered to Animal Medical and Surgical Center in Scottsdale where they began supportive care. The next morning, we heard again from the breeder that we could come and get two more puppies. Both puppies were from the younger litter (Molly and Charlie) and were taken to the same hospital for treatment. Later that morning, another call came in from the breeder. Seven week old Carly had been adopted by a family last week and she also developed parvo. The family could not afford treatment so, when contacted by us, decided to relinquish her as well, and our rescue transporters picked her up for delivery to AMSC. We now have 5 puppies in intensive care receiving IV fluids; antibiotics; medication for the support of their already stressed stomachs and gastrointestinal system; and plasma transfusions as these dogs are critically ill. The doctors also are using feeding tubes to get sustenance into these pups who have not eaten for days. The expenses for the first 36 hours is already over $10,000.00. Will you help us help these Golden puppies make it to the next stage of rescue---wonderful new adoptive homes?

Amazing Pet Expo

We need you and your Goldens to represent RAGofAZ at this huge event. Free tee shirts (provided by a benefactor) with our new Logo for all volunteers. We must have a copy of vaccination records for all dogs attending no later than Friday, November 21st. Please email the records to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pet Connection Car Show

Come join us to represent RAGofAZ at this fun event (same place as the Chili Roast Festival).View some beautiful classic cars, listen to some great oldies, raffle prizes, 50/50 drawing, entertainment, food and so much more while our Goldens collect donations and volunteers talk about our wonderful rescue.

Barnes & Noble Gift Wrap 2014

Welcome to Barnes and Noble Gift Wrapping!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – our annual holiday gift wrapping program at Barnes and Noble!

And we need you to volunteer!

• Members and non-members welcome, no experience required• Come with or without a dog – any dog will do (we’ll share ours)• You can help wrap gifts, or simply greet shoppers, thank donors, talk about your dog and just have fun!

We have friendly and dedicated Site Coordinators at each location to handle scheduling and help you with any questions you have.

This is easy:

• Check out our schedule below and see what’s best for you.• Click here to go to VolunteerSpot.com where you can sign up for your preferred date and time (please include your dog’s name). • VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone, nor do you need to register an account. However, if you prefer, you may email the Coordinator assigned to your store of choice with your name, email address and dates and hours you can volunteer.• The bookstore and RAGofAZ will supply all materials but donations of wrapping paper, bows, sparkly decorations, gift boxes and gift bags are always welcome.

That's it! Bring your friends and family and let's have some fun!

Give the Gift of Rescue Holiday Card

This holiday season, give the gift of rescue!

We know you love to give the perfect holiday gift to your friends and family – a donation to Rescue A Golden of Arizona in their honor! When you make a contribution of any amount to RAGofAZ in honor of someone or his/her pet, you may ask us to send them the beautiful holiday card you see above. We can add a brief personal message from you, which we will handwrite on the card. And this year, we are adding a new touch … we will include our beautiful 2017 Hearts of Gold calendar to make your gift truly special.

It’s easy! Simply click on the donation link below, and complete a brief form to provide us with the information needed to send the card. You may donate via credit card, PayPal, or if you prefer, you can mail a check. We will not reveal the amount of your donation to the person receiving the card unless you specifically ask us to do so. And, as always, you, the donor, will receive a personal thank you letter.

If you wish to donate by check, please make payable to RAGofAZ and mail to:

Rescue A Golden of ArizonaPO Box 71987Phoenix, AZ 85050

Don’t forget to include the name and address of the person to whom we should mail the greeting card and any special message we should add.

Have a question or special request? Please email our Donor Relations Coordinator, Judi Schillaci, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 623-537-5989. She will be happy to help you.

Adopt a Senior Month

November is Adopt a Senior Dog Month!

If you want to adopt or foster a Golden Retriever, please consider a senior dog. So many people want a puppy, but seniorGoldens will give you all the joys of dog ownershipwithout the hassles of having a "youngster". A senior has been potty trained, is finished with the chewing and teething stage, is a little less energetic, and usually knows basic commands. Older Goldens can fit into your life with little trouble and will reward you with love and companionship in return.

RAGofAZ received an inquiry from a prospective adoptive family looking to open their hearts and home to a senior golden. She wrote:"We would like to know if Murphy is available. Obviously he is in the final stages of life. Some of the most treasured times with Jack (our rescue) were in the end when I could care for him and his needs. Doing this made me slow down, sit in the shade of the trees, listen to the birds and take in life from a dog’s point of view. Please let me know about Murphy. I want him to have a home where he can live out his life and be loved and adored!"

Please consider fostering or adopting a senior.... I can promise you that a senior Golden will be the best friend you could ever hope for.

Please visit our "Available Dogs" to check out our available Goldens who are just waiting for you - www.golden-retriever.org. Then give us a call 602 404 9663 or drop us a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.